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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

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i6 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

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reqi; 

meti 


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10X  14X  18X  22X 


J 


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16X 


20X 


26X 


30X 


24X 


28X 


n 

32X 


re 

l^tails 
BS  du 
-nodifier 
er  une 
filmaae 

Th«  copy  filmed  hare  has  baan  raproducad  thanks 
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L'axamplaira  fiimA  fut  raproduit  grica  h  la 
gAnirosit*  da: 

McLennan  Library 
McGill  University 
Montreal 

Laa  imaaaa  auivantaa  ant  AtA  ranraduitAa  aw«e  Ia 

32X 


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of  tha  original  copy  and  in  kaaping  with  tha 
f  iming  contract  spaciflc^tiona. 


Original  copiaa  in  printad  papar  eovars  ara  flimad 
beginning  with  tha  front  covar  and  anding  on 
tha  last  paga  wi^n  a  printad  or  illustratad  impraa- 
kion,  or  tha  back  covar  whan  appropriate.  All 
othar  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
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or  iiluatratad  impression. 


The  laat  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  tha  symbol  --»-(meening  "CON- 
TIIMUED").  or  the  symbol  y  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  appliea. 

Mapa,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
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beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  framee  aa 
required.  The  following  diagrama  iiiuatrata  the 
method: 


1 

2 

3 

plua  grand  soin,  compta  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
de  la  nattet*  de  rexemplaira  film*,  et  en 
conformity  avac  lea  conditiona  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Lee  exemplairaa  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  eet  ImprimAe  sont  filmte  en  commenpant 
par  la  premier  plat  at  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
darnlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impreaaion  ou  d'illuatration,  soit  par  la  second 
plat,  salon  le  caa.  Tous  lee  autras  axemplairee 
originaux  iiont  filmia  en  commen^ant  par  la 
premiire  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'imprecslon  ou  d'illuatration  at  an  terminant  par 
la  darniAre  paga  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  dea  symboiaa  suivants  apparattra  sur  la 
darniAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — »•  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Lee  cartee,  planchaa,  tablaeut,  etc.,  peuvent  fttre 
filmia  A  dee  taux  de  rMuction  diffirents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seui  clichA,  11  est  film*  A  pertir 
de  I'angle  supirieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  heut  en  bee,  en  prenent  le  nombre 
d'imegea  nteassaire.  Lea  diagrammee  suivants 
iliustrent  la  mithoda. 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

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4^ 


5. 


.-•^eil  ',.\. 


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1^ 


:M¥'^ 


?Z53/  TVrv^befi. 


1 


V 


^ 


J 


TIMOEE 


i 


AND 


SAMACHET 


A  CANADIAN  STORY. 


■^[ 


I 


PRINTED  BY  T.  EATON,  COLLBGE-STKEET, 

1822, 


TIMOEE  AND  SAMACHET. 


A  Canadian  Sttyry, 


"TV^HOSE  were  this  arrow-head  and 
broken  paddle,  and  why  do  you  so  care- 
fully preserve  them  ?"  said  a  youth  to 
an  aged  Indian  Chief. — 


The  old  man  sighed  ;  and,  after  a  con- 
siderable pause,  in  which  he  motionfid 
for  the  vouth  to  sit,  thus  commenced 
the  following  narrative  : — "  Listen,  then, 
stranger,  while  I  relate  to  thee  events 
which  the  corroding  power  of  time  can 
never  obliterate  from  my  memory;  all 
else  there  is  fading  fast,  and  keeps  an 
even  pace  with  the  rapid  progress  of  this 
once  vigorous  body,  to  the  grave — there 
it  would  long  since  have  been  but  for 
the  generous  Samachet !    'Ere  I  had  at- 
tained  thine   age,  we  had  fought   the 
battles  of  our  tribe,  and  bled  together. 


TIMOE^   AND    SAMACHET. 


In  one  dreadful  conflict  with  thePowta- 
watimis,(0  [  was  rash  enough  toquit  our 
ambush  in  my  ardor  to  oppose  the  ene- 
my. The  valiant  Samachet  saw  me 
engaged  with  and  nearly  overpowered 
by  three  of  the  Pous*  Chiefs,  and  came 
to  my  rescue; — with  a  never- vering  shaft 
he  shot  the  fiercest  through  the  head, — 
the  other  two  were  vanquished  in  a  short 
but  desperate  combat. 

From  this  time  forth,  in  irafBck  with 
the  stranger,  in  war  and  in  the  chase,  we 
were  never  separated.  Would  that  it  had 
pleased  dark  Coughwaw(2)  still  to  have 
left  us  so  ! — alas,  the  noble  Samachet 
hath  long  since  passed  the  Western 
MountainsO'^)  to  our  fathers;  vv^liile  I, his 
miserable  friend,  am  left  like  a  solitary 
blasted  pine!" 


I 


The  old  man's  voice  faltered;  but  he 
soon  recovered  and  resumed: — "The 
beautv  and  the  valour  of  mv  friend  (ill 
our  tribe  admired,  save  one,  and  him 

*  Abrcviation  for  Potowatamis. 


TIMOEE   AND    SAMACHET.  d 

they  made  an  enemy;  the  cruel  Onwaroo 
loved  the  fair  Timoee,  but  she  disdained 
him.  Samachet  was  the  hero  of  her 
choice,  he  sought  and  obtained  her  hand. 
Oh,  what  a  pair!  oft  have  I  stood  un- 
seen to  contemplate  them;  he,  the  mas- 
ter-piece of  Nature !  she,  created  but 
for  him ! 


e 
II 


<i 


. 


Samachet  was  the  bravest  warrior  and 
the  most  expert  of  all  our  hunters,  yet 
as  tender  in  his  nature  as  the  soft  and 
blooming  Timoee  :  no  wonder  that  her 
beauty  and  her  love  were  his  reward  I 
After  the  seven-days'  fe&st(4)  I  was  the 
last  to  take  my  leave,  and  saw  her  lean- 
ing, with  down-cast  eye  and  crimson 
cheek,  upon  his  manly  breast;  while, 
with  a  fond  embrace,  his  graceful  arms 
incircled  the  lovliest  daughter  of  our 
tribe. 

Twelve  moons  had  waned,  and  Sama- 
chet deemed  her  still  fairer  than  before, 
while  she  lived  but  in  his  presence.  The 

lamp  of  day  seemed  to  withdraw  his 

b2 


i* 


i 


m 


6 


TIMOEB   AND    SAMACHET. 


cheering  light  when  he  was  absent;  and, 
as  a  drooping  flower,  she  decUned  till 
Ms  return. 

My  friend  had  been  called  to  check  an 
incursion  of  the  Hurons.(5)  The  well- 
known  war-whoop  of  the  valiant  band, 
raised  always  on  their  return  from  suc- 
cessful enterprise  reached  the  fair  Ti- 
moee,  while,  pensively,  she  sat  listening 
to  the  white-bird,(6)  whose  soothing  me- 
lody accorded  with  the  sadness  of  her 
heart ;  hke  a  fawn  suddenly  awakened 
by  the  rustling  blast,  she  started  from  her 
seat,  and  flew  in  the  direction  whence 
the  welcome  sound  proceeded. 

The  warriors,just  emerging  from  a  deep 
dark  wood,  presented  a  pleasing  though 
a  dreadful  aspect  to  the  beholder !  Their 
leader  was  in  front ;  a  garb  of  skins 
gracefully  adjusted,  unconsciously  dis- 
played the  symmetry  and  vigour  of  his 
form;  a  countenance  of  majesty  and 
kindness,  elated  with  the  pride  of  victo- 
ry, was  surmounted  and  adorned  by  a 


TIMOEE    AND    SAMACHET.  / 

cap  of  eagle's  feathers  mingled  with  the 
heron's  pUime,  which  nodded  in  cadenct^, 
to  their  step  and  song. 

In  an  instant  Timoee  was  locked  in 
her  hero's  arms ; — the  tears  that  fell  on 
her  snowy  and  fast-heaving  bosom  to 
which  she  closely  pressed  his  hand,  a- 
lone  could  speak  the  transport  of  her 
heart, — the  welcome  of  his  safe  return  ! 
The  spoils  of  a  chief  he  had  slain,  a 
number  of  silver  plates  connected  by 
slender  threads  of  wampum,  '')  were 
placed  round  her  beauteous  neck,  whose 
loveliness  they  served  rather  to  conceal 
than  to  adorn . 


Never  were  there  two  beings  more 
blessed  than  Samachetand  Timoee;  but 
their  noon  of  joy  was  suddenly  darkened. 
A  storm,  long  collecting  in  the  bosom  of 
the  revengeful  Onwaroo,  was  soon  to 
burst  upon  their  happiness  in  all  its  fury* 
Oh,  that  I  had  known  what  the  mon- 
ster's gloomy  silence  had  been  brooding, 

my  knife  had  found  a  passage  to  that  den 

b3 


8 


TIMOEE   AND    SAMACHET. 


of  cruelty  and  drained  it  of  its  venom. 
The  evil  god  veiled  the  villain's  purpose 
by  giving  him  a  countenance  of  sulky 
resignation. 

Not  long  after  the  excursion  against 
the  Hurons,  we  heard  that  an  immense 
red-bear  (8)  was  prowling  a  few  leagues 
to  the  eastward  of  our  habitation,  and  a 
short  distance  from  the  mighty  cataract. 
The  weather  being  exceedingly  sultry 
and  the  creature  likely  to  be  very  fierce, 
it  was  agreed  that  a  party  of  our  chiefs 
should  proceed  in  search  of  him ;  and, 
as  the  journey  would  be  made  during 
the  coolness  of  night,  the  females  who 
chose  to  endure  the  fatigues  rather  than 
remain  alone,  were  permitted  to  bear 
their  husbands  company.  Some  debate 
ensued  in  consequence  of  Onwaroo's 
objecting  to  submit  to  the  command  of 
Samachet,  for  general  consent  had  made 
him  our  leader;  but  this  difficulty  was 
obviated  by  an  immediate  proposal  of 
the  latter  to  divide  our  band,  giving  to 
Onwaroo  the  choice  of  six  warriors. 


^ 


^ 


^ 


TIMOEE    AND    SAMACHET. 


9 


The  remaining  six  were  led  by  Samachet. 
At  the  close  of  the  day  of  preparation, 
our  march  commenced  along  the  banks 
of  the  Erie  ;  and  long  before  dawn,  the 
increasing  thunder  of  the  Niagara  an- 
nounced its  termination.  We  raised  some 
wigwams  with  the  boughs  of  trees  and 
covered  them  with  rushes ;  and  having 
seen  that  the  implements  of  the  chase, 
together  with  a  canoe  and  some  fishing 
tackle  '.ere  safely  deposited,  lay  down 
and  reposed  till  sun-rise. 


's 
)f 
e 

IS 


Samachet  was  up  when  I  awoke,  and 
had  walked  with  Timoee  to  take  a  near- 
er view  of  the  falls  : — thither  I  followed 
them.  The  astounding  bellow  with  which 
the  river,  (9)  half  a  mile  in  width,  fell 
from  a  ledge  twice  the  height  of  our  tall- 
est pines,  and  dashed  with  dreadful 
force  upon  a  bed  of  rocks  beneath, 
whence  arose  a  pillar  of  foam  often  dis- 
playing the  most  brilliant  colours,  at 
once  alarmed  and  gratified  the  tender 
female,  who  instinctively  grasped  the 
arm  of  Samachet  as  he  approached  the 


10 


TIMOKR    AND    SAMACHET. 


i 
Ifi 

;  v. 


W 


fearful  precipice.  While  I  advanced  tc 
tell  him  wc  were  ready  for  the  chase,  I 
saw,  or  thought  1  saw,  a  sadness  cloud 
his  admiration  though  he  smiled;  a  tear 
too  was  trickling  down  the  cheek  of  Ti- 
moee.  What  they  had  said  to  each  other 
I  knew  not,  for  the  loud  din  of  the  roar- 
ing Niagara  was  deafening ;  but  imagined 
that  she  cautioned  him  to  avoid  the  fu- 
rious current  in  his  next  day's  fishing, 
for  1  obfijcrvcii  that  she  addressed  him 
beseechingly.    . 

We  hastened  to  rejoin  our  band,  and  on 
arriving  learnt  that  a  scout  had  tracked  a 
bear  to  within  a  short  distance  of  the  wa- 
ter; ana  as  the  impressions  left  in  the  soil 
by  his  huge  paws  were  fresh,  we  deemed 
him  seeking  shelter  from  the  sun  in  a 
swampy  ground,  not  far  off,  much  over- 
grown with  reedy  grass  and  briars. 
Thither  we  marched  ;  and,  when  arrived 
lit  the  spot  where  the  impressions  ter- 
minated, spread  into  a  line  and  cautious- 
ly advanced.  The  object  of  our  search 
soon  met  our  notice,   slowly  stealing 


V  • 


TIMOEE    AND    SAMACHET. 


11 


from  his  lurking-place,  and  casting,  as 
he  retreated,  a  sidelong  glance  at  his 
pursuers.  An  arrow  from  the  bow  of 
Samachet,  glancing  along  the  back  un- 
der the  tough  skin,  and  coming  out 
above  the  shoulder,  instantly  changed 
the  monster's  course  ;  he  gave  a  furious 
growl,  which  we  answered  with  a  shout, 
and  were  rushing  on  him  with  our  spears, 
when  another  opponent  interposed  whom 
we  had  not  seen  or  expected.  Roused  by 
the  noise,  a  large  male  bear,  till  now 
asleep,  leaped  on  its  feet  erect,  and  stood 
to  receive  our  band,  each  of  us  striving 
who  should  intlict  a  first  and  deadly 
wound.  Onwaroo's  spear  aimed  at  the 
throat  was  turned  aside ;  in  making  a 
second  and  more  violent  thrust,  he  over- 
reached himself  and,  in  falling,  was 
struck  with  such  vigour  by  the  animal's 
paw,  that  we  all  thought  him  slain. 

Onwaroo's  chiefs  quickly  surrounded 
the  bear,  war'^ing  his  blows  and  attempts 
to  grapple  with  their  stout  targets,  and 
striking  with  their  tomahawks,(io)  when- 


X  • 


12 


TIMOEE   AND    SANiACHET. 


ii 


ever  the  animars  position  or  their  own 
eagerness  prevented  the  use  of  spears. 

Saniachet,  in  the  mean  while,  had  at- 
tacked the  other.  He  threw  his  spear 
with  so  good  an  aim  that  the  beast's  vi- 
gilance was  baffled,  and  she  stood  trans- 
fixed foaming  with  pain  and  rage  ;  in  an 
instant  the  lance  was  snapt,  and  many 
wounds  were  given  and  received  in  the 
fierce  struggle  which  ensued.  Her  long 
sharp  teeth  and  claws  drew  blood  at 
every  stroke  ;  but  our  spears  and  toma- 
hawks gave  us  ample  vengeance. 

Two  of  our  chiefs  had  fallen  and  more 
would  have  been  disabled  had  not  the 
powerful  Samachet  stunned  the  wild 
monster  with  his  tomahav/k  ;  and,  as  it 
fell,  our  lances  fixed  the  savage  to  the 
earth !  A  war-whoop  aiuionnced  our 
success;  but  we  soon  p^Tceivcd  that  vic- 
tory was  incomplete.  Tlic  male  bear 
had  just  struck  a  cliieflain  to  the  ground, 
and,  in  spite  of  wounds  and  weapons, 
was  forcing  himself  a  passage  to  the 


TIMOEE    AND    SAMACHET. 


13 


river.  Samachet,  whose  eae^lc  glance 
instantly  perceived  the  animal's  purpose, 
darted  hke  an  arrow  from  his  own  good 
bow  to  intercept  him,  and  reached  the 
bank  just  in  time  to  place  hiinself  in  a 
firm  attitude.  We  pursued,  but  did  not 
get  there  time  enough  to  yield  him  any 
aid.  The  bear,  now  more  inflamed  than 
ever,  rose  on  his  hind  legs  appeared  as 
tall  as  a  well-grown  man,  displaying  his 
long  white  teeth  and  claws,  reeking  with 
blood  and  foam. 


e 

ir 


Samachet  with  shield  boldly  opp  ^sed, 
waited  with  steady  eye  and  firm  hand 
till  the  animal  should  come  within  his 
reach,  determined  to  slay  the  savage  or 
be  slain.  A  blow  from  his  heavv  toma- 
hawk  now  falls  with  resistless  force, — 
the  monster's  jaw  is  crushed,  but  the 
weapen  shivers  to  pieces  in  the  warrior's 
handl  In  an  instant  he  grasps  his  long 
knife,  and  pushing  the  target  in  the  bear's 
face,  thrusts  the  gleamy  iron  several 
times  up  to  tne  handle  in  its  shaggy  body. 
A  struggle  of  death  ensued,  in  which 


14 


TIMOEE   AND    SAMACHKT. 


^ 


both  fell  and  rolled  into  the  lake  be- 
neath !  When  I  came  up,  Samachet 
was  holding  the  bear's  head  nnder  water, 
where  it  vainly  strained  and  splashed  to 
elude  the  hero's  gripe.  The  animal's 
speedy  suffocation  so7)n  enabled  him  to 
quit  his  prey,  and  to  ascend  the  bank, 
unhurt  save  from  a  few  deep  scratches ! 
We  now  raised  the  huge  carcases  of  the 
bears  and  placing  them  on  long  poles 
provided  for  the  purpose,  proceeded  to 
our  habitations,  mingling  the  praises  of 
brave  Samachet  with  our  songs  of  vic- 
tory, and  loud  shouts  of  triumph. 


1^ 


A  feast  ensued,  and  the  night  was  far 
spent  in  dance  and  song.  The  wounded, 
and  now  still  gloomier  Onwaroo  was 
present ;  in  vain  his  former  deeds  in 
chase  and  war  were  chaunted  to  raise 
the  warrior's  fallen  pride.  He  oft  scowl- 
ed at  the  successful  Samachet,  his  rival 
in  love  and  arms,  and  (luaffcd  the  cup 
in  silence. 


Timoee  had  retired  earlv,  and   was 


TIMOEE    AND    SAMACHET. 


15 


soon  followed  by  her  adored  and  adoring 
chief,  who  marked  the,  chaniung  wo- 
man's ahcred  form  witii  transport.  The 
hope  of  a  son  like  to  her  Samachet  was 
Timoce's  only  solace  in  her  too  frequent 
hours  of  solitude;  and  now  that  hope 
would,  'eie  many  moons,  be  gratified, — 
his  increasing  tenderness  greatly  en- 
hanced this  object  of  her  fondcct  wish. 


as 
in 


One  morning  I  came  early  to  their 
hut,  and  found  Timoee  alone  employed 
in  making  a  cap  of  i)lumes,  the  one  Sa- 
machet had  worn  at  the  chase  having 
been  lost  by  his  fall  into  the  lake.  I 
asked  her  for  my  friend,  and  learnt  that 
he  was  fishing  on  the  borders  of  the 
Niagara,  and  that  he  hatl  promised  her 
that  he  would  not  venture  his  carioe  in- 
to the  stream  so  near  the  falls.  She  of- 
fered me  some  fruit  and  honey  just 
shaken  from  the  cotton  tree(*0  of  which 
I  ate.  in  the  conversation  which  en- 
sued n)y  friend  was  often  mentioned. 
I  soon  pro})osed  that  we  should  rise  aud 
seek  him.    She  willingly  complied;  say- 

c 


16 


TIMOBB   AND    SAMACHET. 


ing  that  he  had  pointed  out  the  place 
where  he  should  deposit  the  fish,  if  he  had 
much  success ;  and  where,  also,  he  in- 
tended to  fasten  the  canoe  to  take  repose 
should  the  day  prove  sultry.  Thither 
we  proceeded ;  and  well  I  remember 
that  never  had  I  seen  the  tender  Timoee 
look  lovelier  or  more  happy ; — no,  not 
even  when  our  king^s  consent  enabled 
them  to  exchange  the  mutual  token* 
of  each  other's  love  !"  The  venerable 
speaker  paused,  and,  wiping  his  brow, 
resumed. — "We  reached  the  place  of 
which  she  spake,  and  found  under  some 
rushes  a  large  pile  of  fish  of  various 
kinds,  and  among  them  a  chaouravSon.(^2) 
I  thought  so !  said  I ;  this  scaly  robber 
of  the  flood  and  air,  defies  our  spears 
and  daggers;  but,  look!  the  arrow  of 
my  friend  has  passed  quite  through  and 
through. 


)i 


ji 


1  had  just  replaced  the  huge  fish,  and 
looking  up  perceived  a  chief  before  me 
in  an  attitude  of  the  most  intent  obser- 


See  note  4* 


TIMOEE  AND   SAMACHET. 


17 


vation;  apparently  watching  some  ob- 
ject concealed  from  our  view  by  the  in- 
tervening trees  whose  long  branches 
touched  the  water; — I  was  going  to 
speak,  but  the  chiefs  singular  attitude 
and  eagerness  rivetted  us  both  to  the 
spot.  His  body  was  much  inclined  for- 
wards ; — one  hand  raised,  as  if  to  aid  his 
sight — the  other,  stretched  behind  him, 
held  a  Irnig  knife.  His  position  chang- 
ed, but  still  he  observed  us  not,  and 
seeming  satisfied  he  hastily  moved  away 
and  with  a  light  step  gained  the  wood 
ere  we  could  see  his  face.  I  know  not 
how  it  was,  but  I  felt  agitated ;  and  my 
hurried  pace  betrayed  my  feelings.  Why 
do  you  walk  so  fast  ?  said  Timoee.  To 
meet  my  filend,  1  answered,  and  added, 
was  it  not  Onwaroo  the  chief  we  saw  ? 
The  trees  were  now  passed,  and  the  first 
object  on  the  water  that  met  our  notice 
was  a  small  canoe ;  he  thong  by  which 
it  had  been  fastened  to  the  bank  had  evi- 
dently just  been  severed,  A  thought 
combining  Onwaroo  with  treachery  in- 
stantly flashed  across  my  mind!     The 

c^ 


V 


M' 


18 


TIMOEE    AND    SAMACHET. 


canoe  was  gliding  slowly;  but  now  be- 
gan to  feel  the  current  and  increased  its 
motion.  A  figure  was  either  dead  or 
sleeping  there ;  to  shout  therefore  was 
the  immediate  impulse  Both  strained 
our  voices  in  agony;  but  two  bow-shots 
further  drift,  and  all  efforts  would  be 
vain !  Our  shouts  started  the  figure  from 
his  dangerous  sleep, — 'twas  Samachet! — 
Haste  !  haste!  my  friend,  ply  with  your 
utmost  speed  !  In  an  instant  he  was 
naked  to  the  waist, — a  paddle  strongly 
grasped, — and  now  the  little  bark  impel- 
led by  his  good  arms  began  to  check  the 
frightful  current !  Timoee  spake  not, — 
her  hands  clasped, — her  eyes  strained 
as  if  they  would  start  from  their  sock- 
ets,— she  held  her  breath  with  terror ! 
Shouting,  encouraging,  1  ran  to  and  fro; 
tempted  at  every  turn  to  plunge  into  the 
lake, and  share  the  dreadful  fate  I  thought 
inevitable!  For  some  time  the  canoe 
neither  gained  on  nor  yielded  to  the  tor- 
rent ;  but  at  length  the  determined  spi- 
rit and  vigour  of  the  chieftain  triumphed 
he  now    perceptibly  advanced !    With 


TIMOEE    AND    SAMACHET. 


19 


regular  and  rapid  strokes  he  plunged  the 
paddle  in  the  boiling  tide  which  foamed 
above  the  prow ! — Every  nerve  and  si- 
new on  the  stretch  while  the  hero's 
visage  shewed  those  nerves  unwearied 
and  unshaken  !  Still  faster  now  he  stem- 
med the  opposing  stream,  his  strength 
increasing  with  the  mighty  exercise,  till 
the  whole  body  glou^d  with  warmth 
and  light !  Our  hearts  beat  audibly, — 
a  smile  of  hope  now  dawned  in  the  looks 
of  Timoee, — in  ten  strokes  more  and  he 
is  safe! — O  death!  the  paddle  bieaks ; — 
a  fiendish  laugh  burst  on  my  ear! — 
Samachet  is  on  his  feet, — his  bow  bent, 
an  arrow  drawn  to  the  head,— ;;it  sped  ! 
I  hear  him  shout ! — Another  paddle  lay 
on  the  bank,  I  threw  it  to  him,  he  at- 
tempts to  reach  it  with  his  bow  but 
fails  ! — Timoee  shrieked  aloud, — and 
both  ran  in  the  direction  of  the  canoe, 
now  hurrying  down  the  stream.  Sick- 
ening with  horror,  she  sank  upon  her 
knees  and  grasped  the  earth ;  still  watch- 
ing with  a  swimming,  tearless  eye,  her 

noble  Samachet.     He  still  remained  e- 

c3 


ih 


It' 

hi 
m 


20 


TIMOEE   AND   SAMAjCHET. 


rect,  and  gazed  on  both,  but  last  on  Aer 
with  tenderness;  and  with  a  placid 
smile,  one  hand  placed  upon  his  gallant 
heart,  the  other  pointing  to  the  western 
sky, 1  can  no  more!" 

The  old  man  now  seemed  choaked 
with  grief,  the  tears  streamed  through 
bis  fingers,  while  he  strove  to  subdue 
and  hide  these  tokens  of  affliction.  Af- 
ter a  long  silence  he  thus  continued  his 
melancholy  story : — 

"  In  the  wildness  and  the  weakness  of 
my  unavailing  sorrow  and  despair  I  clasp- 
ed an  elm!  The  dire  Niagara  seemed 
still !  I  neither  saw  nor  felt !  It  was  dark 
when  I  came  to  myself,  excepting  when 
the  moon  shot  a  faint  glimmer  through 
the  murky  clouds.  My  limbs  were  stiff, 
and  with  difficulty  I  groped  my  way  to 
something  white  upon  the  ground — poor 
Timoec, — thou  wert  as  I  am  now,  alone 
in  this  drear  world  !  I  brought  her  to 
the  cabin,  where  her  senses  gradually 
returned.    She  raised  herself  slowly  and 


/ 


■I 


TIMOEE   AND    SAMACHET. 


21 


looked  full  in  my  face,  but  knew  me 
not.  The  unfinished  cap  of  plumes 
caught  her  eye — oh,  what  a  dreadful 
shriek! For  some  days  I  sat  watch- 
ing the  body,  which  soon  grew  cold  and 
stiff,  scarcely  less  inanimate  myself,  till 
aroused  by  maddening  thirst  and  hun- 
ger. Timoee — the  faithful  Timoee  ! — 
I  laid  her  gently  in  the  earth,  nor  re- 
moved a  single  ornament ; — as  she  last 
plaited  her  flowing  hair  and  mingled  it 
with  beads — as  the  noble  warrior,  (now 
no  more)  placed  the  necklace  of  silver 
on  her  milk-white  bosom — so  she  slept, 
inclosed  in  the  shaggy  trophy  of  his  late 
brave  triumph  ! — 

Peace  to  thee — peace! — O  Timoee, 
farewell ! — From  the  cold  earth  now  wet 
with  drops  of  sorrow,  shall  spring  flow- 
ers as  frail,  but  not  so  fair  as  thee  ! 
They  shall  grow  and  wither — but  thou 
wilt  bloom  once  more,  and  then  for 
ever  I — 


I  wandered  forth  to  pay  the  last  sad 


y     _- 


!! 


j 


Is 'I 


22 


TIMOEE    AND    SAMACHET. 


tribute  to  my  friend.  On  retracing  the 
path  \  trod  so  lately,  each  object  awak- 
ened th2  most  heart  rending  grief —each 
spot  where  we  had  paused  was  now  ob- 
scured by  scalding  tears — !  dared  not 
look  upon  the  fatal  stream  !  An  eagle 
rose  so  near  me  that  it  dispelled  for  an 
instant  my  trance  of  misery,  and  on  ap- 
proaching the  place  discovered  the  body 
of  the  fiend-like  Onwarool — An  arrow 
had  pierced  it  till  the  point  came  through 
on  the  opposite  side — 'twas  he  that  gave 
the  horrid  laugh  !  this  was  his  recom- 
pense— but  oh,  too  merciful. — The  barbed 
head  of  the  shaft  was  broken  off;  but 
on  examining  the  carcase  nearer  I  dis- 
covered it  stiiBy  grasped  in  the  still 
bloody  hand — with  difficulty  I  disengag- 
ed the  avenging  weapon — thei2  it  is! — 
With  disgust  [  turned  from  the  vile  corse 
and  left  its  burial  to  the  wolves  and 
ravens. 


My  search  was  vain  for  the  loved 
Samachet.  This  broken  paddle,  in  my 
wanderings  was  all   I  found — di  faithless 


TIMOEE    AND    3AMACHET. 


23 


instrument,  indeed!— but  yet  'twas  his— 
my  Samachet— my  friend— my  friend  !— - 


* 

•X- 

^ 

•X- 

* 

* 

* 

* 

v 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

•X- 

^ 

•X- 

X- 

¥r 

* 

^ 

* 

■X- 

• 

* 

* 

:* 

* 

* 

NOTES 


k^^» 


NOTES. 


2 


Note  1,  page  4,  line  2.  The  Potowatamis 
are  a  powerful  tribe  on  the  borders  of  the  lake 
Erie. 


Note  2,  page  4,  line  14.  Coughawaw,  is  a 
nairie  given  by  the  North  Americans  to  the 
being  they  considered  the  author  of  human 
calamities.  xhey  frequently  endeavour  to 
conciliate  this  deity  by  the  torture  and  death  of 
one  of  their  tribe. 


Note  3,  page  4,  line  1 7.  The  Indians  on  the 
borders  of  the  lakes  believed  in  the  existence 
of  a  Paradise  situated  beyond  their  Western 
Mountains,  'i'hither  the  body  resorted  on  its 
decease  and  resumed  the  pleasures  and  pursuits 
to  \vhich  it  liad  been  attached  during  life. 
Consistently  with  this  persuasion,  implements 
of  the  chase  and  war  together  with  articles  of 
household  furniture  and  dress  were  usually  in- 
tombed  with  the  dead. 


;!! 


i     I 


26 


NOTIiS. 


Note  4,  page  5,  line  14.  Marriage,  among 
the  North  Americans,  was  deemed  particularly 
honourable,  and  always  contracted  at  an  early 
period.  Tiie  j)arties  desirinj^  to  be  united  pre- 
sented themselves  l)et«iri}  the  head  ot  their 
tribe  whose  sanction  could  oidy  be  obtained  !)y 
the  assurance  of  the  sincerity  oi'  their  mutual 
attachment.  The  youn<^  couple  were  then 
permittcil  to  live  three  dnys  together,  and,  if 
still  satisfied  with  each  other,  at  the  expiration 
of  this  period  the  nuptials  were  consummated 
by  an  txchanj^e  of  belts  composed  of  wampum. 
Seven  days  feastinj;'-  followed  ;  the  j]juests  th^n 
departed,  each  prescniinj^  the  happy  couple  with 
a  gift  in  aid  of  their  domestic  establishment. 


Note  T),  page  C,  line  r>.  'j'he  Ilurons,  situa- 
ted on  the  borders  of  the  lake  Huron  'J'bey 
were  one  of  the  tribes  composing  the  **  Five 
Nations," — their  territr.ry  had  behir.ged  to  them 
by  concpiest  and  possession,  tor  the  space  of 
150  years. 

Note  G,  page  G^  line  10.  The  White-bird  is 
peculiar  to  Canada,  and  remarkable  for  the 
brightness  of  its  plumage  and  sweetness  of  its 
note,  especially  at  the  approach  of  spring. — 
"''.-  Whllc-liid  h  a  kind  of  ortolan. 


ji 


NOTES. 


27 


Note  7,  page  7,  line  12.  Wampum  is  form- 
ed by  threads  of  cotton  strung  with  beads, 
pebbles,  shells,  &c, 

Note  8,  page  8,  line  7.  There  are  two  kinds 
of  bears  in  North  America, — the  brown  and 
the  red  The  latter  is  considered  th«  most 
fierce  'I'he  Indian  who  slays  more  thuii  one 
bear  in  a  day  is  held  in  such  estimation  that 
his  acquaintance  is  more  desired  than  that  of 
the  m  )st  renowned  warrior.  The  bear,  from 
its  supplying  the  natives  with  food  and  rai- 
ment, is  ot  great  value ;  this  circumstance  is  a 
justification  of  the  distinction  conferred  on  the 
skilful  hunter. 


of 


)f  irs 


Note  9,  page  9,  line  1 7.  The  magnitude 
of  the  falls  of  the  river  Niagara,  which  con- 
nects the  lakes  Erie  and  Ontario,  renders  them 
truly  worthy  of  admiration  They  are  divided 
into  two  large  cataracts  by  an  island  j  the 
largest  of  them  is  three  hundred  and  fifty  yards 
wide,  and  one  hundred  and  sixty  feet  deep  ! 
Such  is  the  violence  of  the  stream,  that  Indians 
endeavouring  to  cross  it  in  their  canoes,  are  fre- 
quently precipitated  into  the  terrible  abyss  be- 
neath. Of  course  this  results  only  from  care- 
lessness or  intoxication.     An  immense  number 

T> 


T 


li 


28 


NOTES. 


of  birds  of  prey  hover  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
the  falls  in  search  of  the  carcases  of  the  animals 
that  have  perished  in  their  vain  attempts  to 
reach  the  opposite  shore. 

Note  10,  page  1 1 ,  bottom  line.  A  Toma- 
hawk is  a  kind  of  hatchet  with  the  addition  of 
a  hook  on  the  side  opposed  to  the  edge,.  The 
Indians  use  them  with  great  dtxterity,  and 
throw  them  with  considerable  force  and  pre- 
cision. This  instrument  generally  serves  to 
give  the  coup  de  grace  after  the  horrid  opera- 
tion of  scalping  an  enemy. 

Note  1 1 ,  page  15,  line  2 1 .  The  Cotton-tree 
produces  on  its  summit  a  bunch  of  flowers 
which  when  shaken  early  in  the  morning, 
yields  honey  which  can  be  boiled  into  sugar. 

Note  1 2,  page.l  6,  line  1 6.  The  Chaourason 
is  a  fish  of  prey,  armed  with  scales  of  great 
hardness,  and  a  long  horny  weapon.  It  de- 
stroys birds  by  concealing  itself  among  reeds  and 
allowing  this  weapon  to  rise  above  the  water  j 
birds  perching  upon  it,  as  it  has  the  appearance 
of  a  withered  reed,  are  by  a  sudden  jerk  in- 
stantly devoured.  This  fish  is  five  feet  long 
and  about  eighteen  inches  in  circumference. 


i!f 


NOTES. 


29 


It  is  worthy  of  observation  here,  that  the  In- 
dians were  many  of  them  such  good  archers, 
that  they  could  kill  Bsh  in  motion,  animals  at 
their  speed,  and  birds  on  the  wing. 


FINIS. 


T«  lATON,  PRINTER,  WORCESTER 


iii: 


i'    t 


m  (  4 


=-"**»<>0'«aoo<*cNc»<>o<Sj* 


,^' 


>     ll 


fc-^'a 


thJM  ,  ^, 


-rM 


